When asked if he thought there would be a positive outcome for Britain, he replied: “The one thing about the British is, we always – in the end – muddle through and get something.”

When asked if that was “good enough” he responded: “Well that’s what happens in life, we muddled through in the Second World War but we managed to actually plan D-Day – that huge activity – in 18 months.

GETTY

Bob Stewart suggested EU divorce talks could be settled with speed

I tell you what, Brexit is a doddle compared with D-Day

Bob Stewart

“I tell you what, Brexit is a doddle compared with D-Day.”

During the quick-fire grilling, Mr Stewart was asked to play “snog, marry, avoid” and was asked about German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Diplomats agreed with the European Commission’s decision to block any talks about a future comprehensive trade deal until the UK accepts its £60billion divorce bill and comes to a settlement on the rights of EU citizens.

Mrs May hoped hardline European Council guidelines ruling out a trade deal within two years would have been toned down during consultation with the member states.

But EU sources claimed Britain’s aggressive approach to the talks, including threats of becoming a low-tax, low-regulation state unless it was given a good deal, had backfired.

One Brussels insider told the Observer: “However realistic the threats were – or not – they were noticed.

“The future prosperity of the single market was challenged. That had an impact – it pushed people together.”